Few things feel as defeating as stepping outside on a freezing morning, already late, and finding your windshield sealed under a thick layer of ice. Many people still attack it with a scraper, shiver with numb fingers, or risk cracking the glass by pouring warm water. Yet in most modern cars, a single windshield defrost button can quietly solve the entire problem in under a minute. By blasting hot, dry air directly at the glass and using the air conditioning to pull moisture from the cabin, it melts frost evenly and prevents fog from forming as you drive.

Learning to rely on this system changes winter mornings. Set the temperature to maximum, hit the windshield symbol, and wait as the ice loosens and disappears from the inside out. For older vehicles, de-icing sprays, protective tarps, or homemade alcohol solutions can offer similar relief. With a little preparation and the right method, winter no longer dictates your schedule—or your stress.